Memorable Féile held as four Offaly teams reach finals

GAA President Christy Cooney described last weekend"s 39th Coca Cola Feile na nGael festival of under 14 hurling, camogie and handball, jointly hosted by midland neighbours Offaly and Laois, as "exemplary and memorable". Mr Cooney remarked that as the GAA celebrates its 125th anniversary it was heartening and encouraging to witness the warmth of the hospitality extended to all Feile visitors and the spirit of enjoyment and participation among the youngsters in all three codes. A massive t210 teams (92 hurling, 52 camogie and 66 handball) engaged in 354 matches (158 hurling, 90 camogie and 106 handball) on what was a magical celebration of everything that is positive in underage gaelic games. An Taoiseach Brian Cowen took time out from his hectic schedule to attend the grand opening parade of Feile na nGael and this colourful spectacle, featuring almost 4,000 young boys and girls, brought the beautifully decorated streets of Birr to life. Mr Cowen explained that the huge voluntary effort of the Feile organisers was exceptional and pointed out. 'We shouldn"t take for granted the role Feile plays in shaping the personal, social and cultural development of young people. It is a fantastic festival.' Mr Cooney, along with local hurling hero Brian Whelahan, the only player of the modern era selected on the Millennium Team, unveiled a magnificent bronze statute to commemorate Birr"s historic staging of the first-ever All-Ireland hurling final on April 1st, 1888. Offaly teams reached four finals. Feile na nGael Division 1 Hurling Final K/K"s historic march to final ends in disappointment Dicksboro 3-14 Kilcormac/Killoughey 0-5 Scorers Dicksboro: Kevin Kenny (2-1), Michael Phelan (1-2), Frank Nolan (0-4), Patrick Cahill (0-3, 0-1 free), Mark Slater (0-2), Robbie Fitzpatrick (0-1 "65), Aiden Walsh (0-1). Kilcormac/Killoughey: Dylan Murray (0-3, 0-2 frees), Cillian Kiely (0-2, 0-1 free). A magnificent total team performance ensured that Kilkenny standard bearers Dicksboro captured the Coca-Cola Feile na nGael Division 1 hurling crown for the first time in the club"s one hundred year history at O"Connor Park, Tullamore yesterday. Dicksboro were awesome from start to finish and the coveted Christy Ring Trophy was in the bag by half time as they had established a commanding 2-5 to 0-2 advantage. Kilcormac/Killoughey, managed by Offaly"s 1998 All Star winning goalkeeper Stephen Byrne, bravely kept plugging away but it just wasn"t to be for the final first timers who gained many admirers for the progress they made during the 39th Coca-Cola Feile na nGael festival weekend. Kilcormac/Killoughey: Harley Dalzell; Joseph Daly, Cillian Kiely, Ciaran Bracken; Dylan Cummins, Alan Spain, Keith Bagnell; Brian Moore, Dylan Murray; Joseph Daly, Jordan Quinn, James Kilmartin; Kevin Ryan, Daniel Mahon, Ronan Molloy. Subs.: Shaun Lowry for Bracken, Stephen Horan for Ryan. Referee: Brian Gavin, Clara. Division 3 Hurling Final Tinnahinch"s top first half show sinks Seir Kieran Tinnahinch 5-7 Seir Kieran 4-2 Scorers: Tinnahinch: PJ Fitzpatrick (2-0), Eamonn Dunne (2-0), Ciaran Hyland (0-5, 0-4 frees), Colm Poole (1-1), Donnchadha Hartnett (0-1). Seir Kieran: Shaun Dunne (3-0), Cian Hegarty (1-0), Peadar Murray (0-2 frees). FOR the second successive year at Coca Cola Feile na nGael, the Division 3 hurling final turned out to be a Laois versus Offaly affair. In 2008 at blustery O"Moore Park, the Harps Gaels claimed the Michael Cusack Trophy with a 5-6 to 1-3 victory over Kinnitty and on Sunday at O"Connor Park, Tinnahinch ensured the trophy remained in Laois as they got better of Kevin Kinahan managed Seir Kieran. Seir Kieran (panel): Matthew Connors, Shane Kinahan, David Ryan, Wayne Mahon, Patrick Mulrooney, James Carroll, Jack Tierney, Shane Ryan, Joseph Gilligan, Dylan Kennedy, Peadar Murray, Sean-Michael Maher, Padraig Bergin, Shaun Dunne, Michael Gilligan, Cian Hegarty, Shane Maher, Donal Kealey, Paul Bergin. Referee: Tony Carroll, Kinnitty. Feile na nGael Division 6 Hurling Final Cunningham heroics seals deal for Ballinamere/Durrow Ballinamere/Durrow 1-6 Woodford Gaels 0-7 BALLINAMERE/Durrow claimed the Division 6 Feile na nGael Hurling title with a thrilling 1-6 to 0-7 win over Woodford Gaels in O"Brien Park on Sunday. The sides had gotten to know each other very well over the weekend as the Offaly club were hosting their Cavan counterparts for the weekend.GAA President Christy Cooney presented team captain Ronan Daly with the Lar Tire Trophy to great acclaim from the Ballinamere/Durrow supporters. Ballinamere/Durrow (panel): Ronan Daly (c), Conor Regan, Oisin Cusack, Conor Martin, Ciaran Guinan, Alan Flynn, Brian Henry, Kevin Cunningham, Darragh Wyer, Alan Geoghegan, Danny O"Brien, Daryl Troy, Mike O"Brien, Jack Fogarty, Derick Cleary, Shane McDermott, Michael McDermott, Sean Duignan, Vincent Dempsey, Ciaran O"Driscoll, Jerome Scully, Geoffrey Scully, Stephen Flynn. Referee: Tommy Anderson, Ferbane. Division 4 Camogie Final Battling Seir Kieran go down in final Seir Kieran 0-1 Na Brídeoga 5-3 Scorers: Na Brídeoga: Shauna Morley (1-1), Aisling Tarpey (1-1), Aoife Lilly (1-1), Rebbeca Lenehan (1-0), Lorraine McGuinness (1-0 free). Seir Kieran: Eimear Mooney (0-1 free). MAYO"S Na Brídeoga, Coca Cola Féile na nGael division 4 camogie semi-finalists in 2008 and 2007, went all the way to success on this occasion as they defeated Seir Kieran in the opening final played at 10am in O"Brien Park, Tullamore on Sunday. It was a huge achievement for Seir Kieran to emerge from their group and advance to the final and the players and their mentors can be proud of the progress they made. Seir Kieran (panel): Aisling Middleton, Keira Dooley, Shannon Bergin, Eimear Mooney, Edel Kealey, Caroline Kealey, Hannah Corrigan, Valerie Carroll, Katelyn Corrigan, Mary Kate Breslin, Mairead Murphy, Mairead Jennings, Dearbhail Ryan, Teigan Hegarty, Clodagh Finnerty, Aoife Gilligan, Margaret Mulrooney, Cassandra Mahon, Megan Larkin, Louise Makim.